17 year old kitty has seizures... any hope?

9 years ago

My cat of 17 years has had five seizures I know of in the last two days... Has anyone had this with their cat and they lived a good life awhile longer? Her vitals, blood work are all good, but she probably has a brain tumor or something else going on in the brain, the vet says. I've started pheno barbital, anti-seizure medicine and another medicine to reduce swelling in the brain should something be in there.

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Comments (9)

sylviatexas1
9 years ago
I'm so sorry.

My experience with putting a cat on pheno-barbitol was many years ago, & he was a zombie until I stopped giving it to him.

At 17, with the probability of a brain tumor or other brain problem, & 5 seizures within 2 days, I think it's time to give her an easy out.

Her quality of life is already gone.

Again, I'm so sorry.
belladom
Original Author
9 years ago
Yes, now after a few doses she's walking in circles, sleeps and walks in circles... So I guess that means this is it? It seems wrong since she still is aware.... eats... but then again she can't go to the bathroom well, and do much of anything.... very sad.... I guess this is the time then...
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The thing is, if conventional testing does not find a cause for the seizures after all else has been ruled out, and brain lesion is what's left by exclusion..........what would be your course of action if it were confirmed? Chemo would probably only be palliative and buy time. Would you opt for that in a thirteen year old cat just to extend his life with questionable quality? If the answer is no, then would you be willing to spend four figures just to have a positive diagnosis about which you would take no action anyway? I would, and have spent that much on a cat whose treatment had a good chance of cure and he coud expect years of qualty time left, but I would not spend it on a pet just to buy (probably with little quality) time. I suspect your vet is trying to be as conservative as possible to rule out everything else before you put yourself in a situation where you might have to make that choice. Honest discussion with his/her insight is called for soon. Meanwhile, controlling the seizures with medication is not unreasonable as a palliative measure if they become too bad.
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sylviatexas1
9 years ago
Yes.

I'm sorry.

You might read the other threads on this forum about end-of-life decisions.

Making sure that our pets don't suffer is not a "choice" for pet-owners;
it's a responsibility.

At the end of a pet's life, it's our job to see to it, if humanly possible, that our pets don't endure pain or misery.

Animals are stoic;
by the time we can see signs of pain or confusion, the pet has been having those problems for some time & has just become too weak or is in too much pain to mask the symptoms.

At this point, her *quality* of life is gone;
if you wait until she can't walk or can't eat or doesn't seem aware, you will have waited much too long.

Again, I am sorry, & bless you for caring for her.

sending you & your beloved kitty thoughts for strength & for peace.
belladom
Original Author
9 years ago
I don't want to wait too long... but the vet now tells me the anti seizure drug takes about 2 weeks of getting used to and then they are not dazed and confused, while the underlying issue will continue so not sure how much longer she has, though at 17 probably not long... vet says as long as she's eating and not having seizures it might be worth waiting it out the 2 weeks, but he adds euthanasia is a reasonable alternative at this point too....
mudhoney
9 years ago
Just to check, you haven't just given her a new topical treatment such as Frontline have you? Can cause seizures, and it did in my cat, which went away as soon as it wore off and we discontinued it.
belladom
Original Author
9 years ago
no topical treatment, no Frontline... maybe that or advantage about a year ago... lately just use a flea comb and spray cedarcide on pets and carpets... seems to keep them at bay...
annzgw
9 years ago
I would be highly suspicious of the cedarcide. Your elderly cat could be reacting to the cedar even though the company claims it's non-toxic. Google 'cats &cedarcide' and you'll find reports of severe reactions to it.

If you have a Cat Clinic in your area I would seek a second opinion.
belladom
Original Author
9 years ago
Annz: That worried me so I contacted 2 vets who doubted the cedar oil and cedarcide (the company) could cause my cat to seizure, but recommended I call the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) and for a fee of $65, they checked, the company was on their database, and they said cedar oil and the company were perfectly fine for cats.... so feel better about that anyway....
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Joseph Corlett, LLC
9 years ago
belladom:

Your cat is 17 years old. Put the cat down. Now.

17 year old kitty has seizures... any hope?

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17 year old kitty has seizures... any hope?

Comments (9)

sylviatexas1

belladomOriginal Author

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